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Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman: Delivers offensive explosion Friday

by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire

Zimmerman went 4-for-4 with two doubles, two homers and four RBI in Friday's win over the Pirates.

Zimmerman entered Friday's contest having gone 1-for-13 with seven strikeouts over his past three starts but was able to break out in a big way. It was his second four-hit game of the season and seventh multi-homer game of his resurgent 2017 campaign. The strong offensive performance pushed his season average back above .300 and added to his career-high home run total that now sits at 36. The Nationals hope that the 33-year-old's bat will stay hot in their upcoming NLDS series against the Cubs.

Zimmerman (general soreness) went 1-for-4 with a double, a run and two strikeouts in Monday's 3-1 win over the Phillies.

He sat out all three games over the weekend due to general soreness, but played the full game Monday, and should continue to be used as the primary first baseman over the final six games of the regular season. Zimmerman has set a career high in home runs (34) and is seven RBI shy of tying his career best in that category (110), set back in 2006.

Zimmerman is feeling soreness and will not play this weekend, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.

It's not clear exactly what is ailing Zimmerman, but the Nationals can afford to give him as much rest as needed, so manager Dusty Baker is planning to hold him out both Saturday and Sunday. Adam Lind is starting in Zimmerman's place Saturday and figures to do the same Sunday.

Zimmerman is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Mets, according to Dan Kolko of MASN Sports.

The Nationals are starting to rest their regulars in advance of the postseason, and manager Dusty Baker will give Zimmerman another day off Saturday after holding him out Friday as well. Adam Lind will get another start at first base in Zimmerman's place.